Austin, TX — (press release excerpt) — The TV Linux Alliance today announced the availability of its specification version 0.8. The TV Linux Alliance is a consortium of digital media technology suppliers established to define a standards-based Linux environment for the digital set-top box market. The TV Linux Alliance specification defines a standardized set of programming interfaces speeding the development of Linux-based set-top applications. This specification version is an important milestone in the development of a common set-top box environment and promises accelerated delivery of enhanced content and services.

This initial specification version provides developers with basic functionality for tuner level and device definitions, and standardized application programming interface (API) functions for those devices. Future specification versions will define standard API's for additional digital media functionality.

The specification simplifies the implementation of TV middleware and device drivers for the Linux operating environment, allowing network operators to select from a variety of vendors whose offerings are interoperable with the common API. This initial specification version gives technology vendors the opportunity to begin development in a common set-top box environment standard and paves the way to supporting worldwide, industry-standard content specifications such as DVB-MHP and CableLabs OCAP.

The strong networking functions and stability of Linux make it an intelligent choice for network operators, infrastructure providers and hardware manufacturers. In addition, the openness of Linux allows continual improvements by a strong development community.

About TV Linux Alliance

TV Linux Alliance is a consortium of technology suppliers to cable, satellite and telecommunication network operators who wish to support the deployment of Linux-based digital set-top terminals capable of interactive television applications and services. The TV Linux Alliance Founders are committed to the development of a specification that optimizes television on digital set-top terminals. The Founders consist of the following companies: ACTV, Inc., ATI Technologies, Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Concurrent Computer Corporation, Conexant Systems, Inc., Convergence Integrated Media, iSurfTV Corporation, Liberate Technologies, Lineo, Inc., MontaVista Software, Inc., Motorola, Inc., Pace Micro Technology, ReplayTV, STMicroelectronics, Sun Microsystems, TiVo, Trintech, Worldgate.

Further information about the specification and the TV Linux Alliance can be found by visiting www.tvlinuxalliance.org, including information on how to become an adopter of the specification.

 
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